2010 VT Teacher of the Year process

The months-long process of being named 2010 Vermont Teacher of the Year went through a number of different phases, including:

-Nomination and Application
-Interview
-School Visit and Observation
-Finalist Dinner and Speech
-Acceptance Ceremony

Go to the Vermont Dept. of Education's page for more information:
http://education.vermont.gov/new/html/dept/awards.html

Below are the details of this process and my experiences with it from Jan.-Sept. 2009:

The Nomination Phase

The process of becoming the 2010 Vermont Teacher of the Year started for me in January 2009 when my principal came into my class and asked to speak with me in the hall. I had no idea what he wanted to tell me, but I definitely did not expect him to tell me that he wanted to nominate me for Teacher of the Year. I was shocked because it was only my 6th year as a teacher and I knew that there were a number of other incredibly deserving teachers in my school. But when my principal told me that he would not nominate someone whom he didn't think could actually win and become the state Teacher of the Year, I knew that I would go into this process with confidence. What an amazing honor to be recognized by your principal as their one nomination for this prestigious award!

The Application Phase

Next was the application that was due by mid-March. The odd part of being nominated as Teacher of the Year is that the nominee has to do all of the work, and it as hard as it was to speak about myself and my accomplishments for pages and pages, it was also a good practice in reflection on what I have been able to achieve in my years in the classroom. The application was a portfolio composed of a number of essays, letters of recommendation, examples of student work, and other details about my experience, background, and teaching career. I spent a lot of time on this because I did not want to let my school or principal down, and knew this would be an incredible honor. I sent it off to the state Dept. of Education and then waited and waited.

I was reluctant to tell too many people, besides my family, though because I did not want to get my hopes up and jinx myself. But every day I got home, I checked my e-mail and my phone messages to see if there was any messages about how I had done.

After a few weeks, the phone rang at my house on a Sunday morning, and I was absolutely shocked to hear that I had passed the first hurdle! Wow! I was asked to come up to Montpelier for an interview and to write two additional essays explaining specific educational issues that I think are important and what I would do with the honor of possibly being named Teacher of the Year.

The Interview

In late March, I drove up to Montpelier to be interviewed. I had no idea how many other nominees had also been asked to come up for an interview, and I had no idea what to expect with the interview. It was hard to prepare for because I didn't know who would be interviewing me or what type of questions I would be asked. But I knew that if I just spoke from my heart about why I love to teach and what I feel makes me a successful teacher, then I would be just fine.

I walked into a room with a long rectangular table that had about 10 people around it, and the moment I saw that, and the empty chair that awaited me at the table, I quickly realized how serious this was going to be. As everyone introduced themselves, I became even more nervous as before me were past Teachers of the Year, district superintendents, state Dept. of Ed. members, and other educational and community leaders. And they were going to be grilling me for the next hour or so! But as soon as the interview started, I was suddenly very calm and could just speak freely because they were asking questions about teaching and what I enjoy about it and stories of some of my favorite moments in the classroom. It was draining, but it felt great to share the story of the amazing students and staff at Bellows Falls Union High School.

I was unsure how I had done, and the bad part of living 1 1/2 hr. south of Montpelier was that I had a long drive home to think about it and analyze everything I said. It was just such an honor to be able to come up to the state capital and be interviewed. But then, I got another amazing call on a Sunday morning telling me that I had made it to the next round and the selection committee would be coming down to Bellows Falls Union High School to observe me in my classroom and to speak to a number of people about me and my teaching. Wow!

The School Visit and Observation

In early May, the Teacher of the Year selection committee came to my high school, first to observe a class of mine, then to speak to each of the following groups for about 20 minutes each:

-my principal and superintendent
-students' parents and former students
-staff and faculty colleagues
-students

It was a lot of planning to organize this all, but I was blown away by how willing and excited students, faculty, and parents were to come in and speak on my behalf.

The day went exceptionally well, and I was truly honored by all of those who came out and supported my nomination for this honor.

It was with great surprise that days later I was told that I was a finalist and was invited with the other finalists to come up to Montpelier for a dinner and to give a speech. I was a finalist! Wow! I couldn't believe this ride was going to keep going.

Finalist Dinner and Speech

There were three finalists for the Teacher of the Year: Stacey Endres, a language arts and social studies teacher at Milton Middle School, Terry Frey, a music teacher in Windsor at the State Street School and Windsor High School, and myself. We all had to make a speech about something that we felt strongly about. I chose the one aspect that I believe truly makes a quality and dedicated teacher -- passion. Passion in teaching in general, but also passion for your content area, which for me is History.

It was a pleasure to meet Stacey and Terry and hear them speak. They are both incredibly dedicated teachers and amazing people. It was a pleasure to be in the same group as them as finalists.

The keynote speaker was Vermont's Commissioner of Education, Armando Vilaseca. It was my first time to meet the Commissioner, and it was great to hear how supportive he is of educators and what we do on a daily basis to better prepare Vermont's students for their future.

This was the last step. Now it was up to the selection committee. And unfortunately they wouldn't be telling us and making their decision public until September and the start of the 2009-2010 school year. So we would have to wait the whole summer to think about their decision. I was confident that I did the best I could, though, so whatever their decision was, I was excited to be at least named one of three finalists in the entire state of Vermont.

Acceptance Ceremony

I found out by a visit to my school in late August 2009 that I had been selected as the Vermont Teacher of the Year!!! I went completely speechless. Words could not describe what it meant. It is not something that I went into education for, and I remember my mom telling me that in education you have to pat yourself on the back because nobody will pat you on the back, but this honor was unbelievable. I was so happy for all the students, staff, and community members that this truly does reflect positively upon because without them and their support, this would have never happened.

I then learned that an assembly would be held in mid-September at my school where the state Board of Education would be, along with the entire student body and staff, members of our school's school board, my parents, and the media. The Board of Education observed a class of mine, followed by a great lunch that our Foods class prepared, and then it was time for the assembly. I knew that I had received the honor, but it was still a very emotional event, especially with the incredibly standing ovation that the students and staff gave for me when my name was called, and when I looked out to see my mom and dad, who had driven up from Ohio, in the
crowd.

I really wanted to take my time at the microphone to thank the staff at my school, the students, past and present, the administration, the school board, and my parents. Without them, I truly would have never received this amazing honor. I ended my speech with the following:

"This honor speaks volumes about the quality education here at BFUHS, and I am very proud to represent this school, this community, and the state of Vermont as the Teacher of the Year."

But this was only the start of a wild ride as the 2010 Teacher of the Year.

Click here for the WCAX News story from Sept. 15, 2009

-Click here for some of my pictures-